Intermediate conductor for electric metal-working apparatus



A. F. RIETZEL. INTERMEDIATE CONDUCTOR FOR ELECTRIC METAL WORKING APPARATUS. APPLICATION rim) ocr. 3; 191a.

'1'-,332,'688'.- PatentedMar.2,1920.

. I INVENTOR H a 7 P/e135] MRNEYS UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPH F. RIETZEL, OF CHARLESTOWN, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THOMSON ELECTRIC WELDING COMPANY, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

INTERMEDIATE CONDUCTOR FOR ELECTRIC METAL-WORKING APPARATUS.

Application filed October 3, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AnoLPH F. RIETZEL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Charlestown, in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Intermediate Conductors for Electric Metal-Working Apparatus, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to electric metal working apparatus in which the electric current for heating the section of work to be operated on is derived from the secondary of an electric transformer. The invention particularly relates to the construction of the conductors used to electrically connect the transformer secondary with platens which support the work clamps or other workengaging parts.

The object of the invention is to provide a connection between the secondary and the platens which will transmit heavy currents efiiciently and which will permit free movement of the workholders or jaws with relation to one another while maintaining the electrical connection with the secondary. Further objects are to economize space and material.

To these ends the invention consists in the improved conductor for transmitting currents in electric metal Working apparatus hereinafter more particularly described and then specified in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a part of an electric metal working apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an edge elevation of the same.

Referring to the drawings, the platens which carry the work-clamps or other parts for engaging the work are indicated at 1. The manner of mounting of these platens in suitable ways or guides so that they may move relative to each other in the operation of an electric metal working machine in which they are embodied is so well known in the art that illustration or description of this part is deemed unnecessary to an understanding of the present invention.

2 indicates the transformer secondary, shown in the present case as a single turn cast secondary having recesses in its opposite faces forming repositories for the primary coils. This is a type of transformer second Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

Serial No. 256,717.

ary well known and widely used in the art. It will be understood that any suitable type of transformer may be used in carrying out the present invention.

Secured to the underside of each platen and depending therefrom is a set of rigid blades or strips 3 of good conducting material such as copper and arranged parallel with each other and a slight distance apart. The blades are by preference rigidly fastened to the platen by bracket l.

A complementary set of conductors made up of a set of parallel strips or blades 5 is secured to theend of the turn of the secondary 2. One end of the blades 5 inter-meshes with the blades 3 and said sets are hinged to each other by a pin and slot connection 6, the blades of the sets being so connected to gether by the pin that they are in good side contact. The other ends of the blades 5 are rigidly secured to a fitting 7 The fitting 7 has a cylindrical periphery which seats in a transverse groove formed in the secondary 2 at the end of the turn and is capable of swiveling or turning therein.

To secure good contact at all times between the secondary and the fitting 7 I preferably keep the fitting pressed against the walls of the groove in the secondary by means of springs 8 one located at either side of the blades 5 and suitably secured to the pin 6 and to the sides of the secondary casting 2 as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

The full lines in Fig. 1 show the conductor in the position assumed when the platen is in its mean position. The positions of farthest forward and back travel of the platen is indicated in dotted lines. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the platens 1 move relatively to each other in applying the necessary upsetting pressure to the work and that either or both may be movable. It will also be understood that the joint between the blades 3 and the platen 1 may be a swiveling one and the joint of the blades 5 at the secondary a fixed one or both joints may be swiveling or hinged joints.

It will further be understood that the invention is not limited to use in any particular type or style of electric metal working apparatus nor to any details of construction except as may be specified in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In an electric metal working apparatus, the. combination with the platens, of a rigid transformer secondary, a set of parallel conductor strips secured to the platen and a similar set of strips having a pivoted mounting in the end of the secondary, said sets 'intermeshing with each other and hinged together to permit movement of the.

platen relative to the secondary.

2. In an electric metal working apparatus, the combination with the platens of a rigid transformer secondary, a Set, of parallel conductor blades secured to the platen, a complementary set of intermeshing conductor blades hinged to the first-named set, a pivot connection between the second-named set of blades and the secondary and means for maintaining a good electric contact across said connection.

3. In an electric metal working apparatus, the combination with the platens of a rigid transformer secondary and a connection between the platens and the secondary comprising a set of rigid, parallel conducting blades rigidly secured to the platen, a

complementary set or" parallel intermeshing conductor blades hinged to said secondary and a pin and slot connection connecting said sets of blades.

4. In an electric metal working apparatus, the combination with the platens, of a transformer secondary and a connection bew n the pl a d the Secondary co p i g a et of rigid, pa allel. cend g blades rigidly secured to the platerna complemetary set of parallel intermeshing conductor blades hinged to said secondary, a hinged joint between said sets of blades and means for applying pressure to the hinged joint at the secondary to maintain good electrical contact of the conductor blades therewith.

5. In an electric metal working apparatus, the combination with the platens, of a transformer secondary and a connection between the platens and the secondary comprising a set of rigid, parallel conducting blades rigidly secured tothe platen, a complementary set of parallel intermeshing conductor blades hinged to, said secondary, a hinged joint between said sets of blades and springs adapted to maintain good electrical contact between the secondary and the conductor blades.

Signed at Charlestown, in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, this 28 day of September, A. D. 1918.

ADOLPH F. RIETZEL.

WVitnesses:

ISAAC WILsoN, Rosn H. RIETZEL. 

